Sustainable Farming

Quebec manure storage regulations to eliminate
fall spreading

The Quebec Ministry of the Environment (MENVIQ) has received
approval of $25 million for the manure storage program for
199091. In addition, the conditions for the grants have been
amended.

The Programme d'aide a l'amélioration de la gestion des
fumiers (PAAGF) was instituted two years ago to provide
assistance for farmers to improve their manure storage facilities
and spreading equipment.

The program will now cover up to 70% of the costs of storage
facilities with a capacity of 250 days. This will include
enlargement, repairs and modifications as well as new structures.

The same percentage of costs will also be covered for liquid
manure facilities that have a capacity of 300 days if it is
judged by a MAPAQ representative that this will result in a
better management of manure.

These conditions will not be retroactive to producers who have
already received approval or funding under the program.
Conversely, the MENVIQ contracts prohibiting the spreading of
manure after September 21st will continue to be enforced.

Under the amendments, new recipients will not have to sign a
contract, but Guy Odette of MENVIQ said that eventually a general
regulation prohibiting all autumn manure spreading will be passed
by the ministry. The intention is to have as many livestock
producers as possible with manure storage capacity of at least
250 days, as well as purchasing equipment to enable spreading
during the cropping season.